The latest job loss report is the “worst since December 1974.” In the last three months, 1.8 million have been lost and to put it in a bigger perspective, that’s “half of the 3.6 million jobs that have been lost since the beginning of 2008.”
The bleak and very “gloomy job report” should ”put more pressure on Congress to pass an economic stimulus bill,” but Senate Republicans are still asking, “what’s the rush“?
Paul Krugman notes, in the past couple of weeks we should have been having a “deadly serious debate about how to save an economy in desperate straits,” but instead, the debate turned “into hackneyed political theater, with Republicans spouting all the old clichés about wasteful government spending and the wonders of tax cuts.”
It’s hard to exaggerate how much economic trouble we’re in. The crisis began with housing, but the implosion of the Bush-era housing bubble has set economic dominoes falling not just in the United States, but around the world.
Enough already. It’s time to change the stimulus strategy:
So what should Mr. Obama do? Count me among those who think that the president made a big mistake in his initial approach, that his attempts to transcend partisanship ended up empowering politicians who take their marching orders from Rush Limbaugh. What matters now, however, is what he does next.
It’s time for Mr. Obama to go on the offensive. Above all, he must not shy away from pointing out that those who stand in the way of his plan, in the name of a discredited economic philosophy, are putting the nation’s future at risk. The American economy is on the edge of catastrophe, and much of the Republican Party is trying to push it over that edge.
One chief executive of a publicly traded company has taken an interesting stance that no doubt many of his peers may scoff at. In an OP/ED today, Reed Hastings said, “Please Raise My Taxes.” Hastings thinks President Obama should ”take half of our huge earnings in taxes, instead of the current one-third.” Given that tax raise, “the next time a chief executive earns an eye-popping amount of money, we can cheer that half of it is going to pay for our soldiers, schools and security.” Gee, what a concept.
Higher taxes on huge pay days can finance opportunity for the next generation of Americans.
Hastings will get no argument from me on that suggestion. Right now everyone is pontificating about what needs to be done to save the economy, but there really isn’t time to come up with the perfect plan, so let’s get the plan we have now passed through.
Time is a wasting and more and more jobs will be lost, more Americans will lose their homes and their savings. It’s now or never, President Obama and Senate Dems need to get it’s time to change the stimulus strategy. Now.
Well, we’re quickly moving to a point where finger-pointing about where the mistakes were made is non-useful dialogue. I think that the bill is too large and unwieldy for compromise and solution.
Pull the plug. Divide the bill up. Lump the overt stimulus measures, and it will pass with flying colors.
Fight out the spending projects in the normal way, through congress and through due process.
Take the strings off of state aide, or otherwise, Red States will absolutely balk. They are not going to give up state programs to the federal governments without a huge fight.
Obama’s true lack of experience in governing, which many of us saw, commented upon, voted against, is now clear and obvious.
BUT…….the public goodwill is with him. He has capital to spend.
Pull back, regroup, and he’ll still come out looking like a smart choice.
If he continues down the path he’s on? He looks like an idiot. Frankly, who establishes an economic advisory board when the cow is out of the barn.
Or, just push it through with Dem support and allow the Republicans to say, “We told you so.”
If Obama supports this bill, then he’ll stand by the results.
You know what AnninCA you are so off base, as usual, I sometimes wonder about you. But oh, I forget, you voted for the other side. I guess if McCain had won the rich would have gotten richer.
Thank God McCain didn’t get elected. If he was all we’d get is tax cuts and we’d truly be screwed.
Krugman’s article is scary. I hope the Senate has the 60 votes needed to pass the stimulus. Bipartisanship is nice but overestimated, in my opinion. Right now there are more important things at stake. 3.6 million jobs lost in one year is scary.
Reed Hastings’ idea has some merit. I’m no financial whiz but what he suggests is an honest suggestion. My father was a “crotchety old man” and complained about everything except his taxes. He firmly believed in paying his taxes because of the opportunities that this country had given him. In his old age when his town raised school taxes he said he had an obligation to see that the next generation received the kind of education that would take this country into the future. He was a lifelong Democrat. I don’t know what this has to do with anything but I always marvel at his philosophy.
JA, we also feel the same way. It really annoys me when I hear people moaning and groaning about paying their school taxes, stating they don’t have kids, or that their kids are grown so why should they have to pay them. I really burn when I hear that.
lynnette says:
06 February 2009 at 12:55 pm
when you’re bleeding profusely a massive infusion of blood is recommended. This economy/country is hemorraging profusely and unless we infuse it massively you can kiss off the good life for years.
I may have missed something, but where did AnninCA agitate for tax cuts a la McCain? She said, quote, “Divide the bill up. Lump the overt stimulus measures, and it will pass with flying colors. Fight out the spending projects in the normal way, through congress and through due process.”
She is 100% correct. The 15-20 moderate senators who are trying desperately to reach consensus are not apostates. They are neither DINOS or RINOS. They are statesmen and stateswomen. And we should let them do their job without hurling invective at them.
And newsflash — Reid cannot ram this thing through even if he wanted to. He needs people like Susan Collins. Like the man said, if Reid had 60, they’d be voting right now.
What amazes me is that no real complaints were heard about an illegal war we have pumped and are still pumping billions into; now the Repubs are asked to help their own country and they’d rather see us fail. What kind of Americans are they anyway?
I’m with you justlen – I thank my God everyday that McCain is not President. I can only imagine what is administration would have done to this country.
And to AnninCA – are you blowing smoke again? Obama has been POTUS for less than a month and you’ve now claimed he can’t govern. And what do you base this on? What are you referencing when you make a statement like that? Please come up with something a little more enlightened than what you spout.
ogenec
has AnninCA back, that’s some kind of rip in the time/space continuum isn’t it?
Jane Austen says:
06 February 2009 at 1:08 pm
And to AnninCA – are you blowing smoke again? Obama has been POTUS for less than a month and you’ve now claimed he can’t govern. And what do you base this on? What are you referencing when you make a statement like that? Please come up with something a little more enlightened than what you spout.
_____
like that stat from Ann on the last thread (no source) “55% of Americans VIEW politicians as not paying their taxes.”
it’s meaningless
BYW: I feel that 100% of people that post stats without a source don’t pay their taxes
50% of the McCains didn’t pay their property taxes for four years.
50% of the Palins illegally too taxpayer per diem money.
took
Ogenec, she has already stated on this blog that she voted for mcCain/Palin. She loves Palin and JTP. So almost anything she says is taken with a grain of salt. And what I was basically referring to is that whenever she comes to this blog she does nothing but criticize everything.
I love stats.
100% of Joe the Plumbers didn’t pay state income tax.
AnninCA
If Obama supports this bill, then he’ll stand by the results.
_________
I see some signs of optimism beginning to take shape in renewed investment in the markets and that is what stimulus is all about. Just the prospect of a bill being passed has caused the gears to turn… WHEN the bill passes, the results will be demontrable and positive. IMO– thus he scenario will be Bush mangleg the economy with his head in the sand and Obama took the situation on and turned things around… without the Republican obstruction machine.
She makes an outrageous comment, (does a drive-by), then she’s off to HuffPost to do the same thing. Rinse and Repeat.
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 1:27 pm
I love stats.
100% of Joe the Plumbers didn’t pay state income tax.
_______
No more form 1080-EZ for JTP
Audiegrl says:
06 February 2009 at 1:29 pm
She makes an outrageous comment, (does a drive-by), then she’s off to HuffPost to do the same thing. Rinse and Repeat.
______
she takes allot if S___ over there I can attest to that.
******NEWS
positive year to date for Nasdaq.
justlen: are you keeping track?
Latest Cuts To The Stim Package: Head Start, Child Nutrition, Food Stamps Public Transit
http://tinyurl.com/bfqbj2
talor is right-the dems are lost. reports are we dont have the votes still unless the sneate votes in the collins nelson cuts on key funding for the states esp teacher hiring money, cuts on healthcare etc… taylor said it best-what are we doing? maybe it should go down in the senate. we need to do this right. with no kennedy able to vote we are in the hole further on the bill. sad.
http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=11410
The “gang of 18″
Democratic Caucus (11)
Evan Bayh (IN)
Michael Bennett (CO)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Joe Lieberman (CT)
Clarie McCaskill (MO)
Ben Nelson (NE)
Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Mark Warner (VA)
Jim Webb (VA)
Mark Udall (CO)
Republican Caucus (5)
Susan Collins (ME)
Mel Martinez (FL)
Olympia Snowe (ME)
Arlen Specter (PA)
George Voinovich (OH)
What they want to cut:
Total Reductions: $80 billion
Eliminations:
Head Start, Education for the Disadvantaged, School improvement, Child Nutrition, Firefighters, Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, Prisons, COPS Hiring, Violence Against Women, NASA, NSF, Western Area Power Administration, CDC, Food Stamps
*****************************
Reductions:
Public Transit $3.4 billion, School Construction $60 billion
*****************************
Increases:
Defense operations and procurement, STAG Grants, Brownfields, Additional transportation funding
Todays round of questions to Gibbs, have got to be the stupidest yet.
Betsy, I hear you. I ignore AnninCA’s usual blather about Obama. I file that under category of “can’t control herself.”
But on stimulus, I think she is dead-on. If it’s not stimulative, it has no place in the bill. That is not to say that a particular goal is not worthy, just that this is not the bill for that goal.
Incidentally, that’s where the Repubs are wrong too. In the long-term, I support reductions in corporate tax rate to bring offshore jobs back home. But I don’t think it’s stimulus, so if it were me, I’d wait until the economy started humming again.
Todays round of questions to Gibbs, have got to be the stupidest yet.
Unfortunately Gibbs does not seem to be very effective in his current role. I love him, I think he’s one of the big three (the original brain trust of Ploufe, Axelrod, and Gibbs that really mapped out Obama’s road), but he does not seem to be the silver-tongued person you want in that role. I suspect he doesn’t tolerate fools gladly, and given the caliber of the press core, that seems like a requirement.
In the long-term, I support reductions in corporate tax rate to bring offshore jobs back home. But I don’t think it’s stimulus, so if it were me, I’d wait until the economy started humming again.
Ogenec,
Wait until unemployment is 10 or 11%? At a certain point a leader has to be concerned with the misery index, which must be the highest in decades.
It’s hard to knopw what is BS in terms of how critical some things are, but this economy is worse than bad.
By the way, US corporate tax rates, when all taxes and offsets are factored in, are very competitive with other countries. The simple fact is we are not going to have significant manufacturing jobs in a global economy unless we have strict protectionism.
ogenec says:
06 February 2009 at 1:51 pm
Incidentally, that’s where the Repubs are wrong too. In the long-term, I support reductions in corporate tax rate to bring offshore jobs back home.
_______________
I’m not at all convinced the Republicans care one wit about jobs. Corporate welfare, yes, “the-free-market-will-cure-all-your-ills, yes… They don’t even stand behind “Made in America” anymore, I mean that used to be there “thang”
Corporate tax rates too high? three words “Exxon Record Profits”
my mom is a teacher in a major tx school district. she got a letter-they are goign to start laying off teachers in schools with 40 kids already to a class very soon unless we get help from our own damn govt. now the sen mods are gutting out provisions for the schools. reid should call for cloture now. make these fools vote it down. gibbs is adrift. he needs to go. now obama wants to tour to sell the package next week. argh. im on mediciad here and this bill is being diluted by the day. im disgusted by my govt.
DaveB says:
06 February 2009 at 1:56 pm
I like that he doesn’t suffer fools gladly…it will be interesting who will win the war, the press or Gibbs.
The networks are grumbling that President Obama is taking away their advertising dollars by appearing on TV so much next week. I guess he got sick of the networks not passing along the ‘real news’ to the people and wasting time with R and D pundits debating silly stuff, and decided to send the message himself.
texan4hillary says:
06 February 2009 at 2:03 pm
my mom is a teacher in a major tx school district. she got a letter-they are going to start laying off….. im disgusted by my govt.
________
you’re not alone in that feeling. Teacher’s have a tough row to how even in good times.
In Cal. Sate government workers are being forced to take Friday’s off with no pay. I think we’re like 18 billion in the whole, and counting.
yet the sneate dickers around slashing billions from education. oh and boosting mroe defense funding!
apparently what Geithner brings out on Monday is actually more important than the stimulus bill. He’s working on the banks.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gUVQWj9DT1Yx2vsbRRrLWD1sQR-QD965OEGG0
p.s. Vitter gives me the creeps.
LOL…
poor Acorn takes the heat on everything…
Vitter: please follow Cheney into oblivion.
Countrywide has all the foreclosures. They must have a Gov contract.
Keep it up Rush!
A new Gallup poll explains why Democrats are now so eager to connect the anti-stimulus bill Republicans to Rush Limbaugh, and to set up Rush as the new Leader of the Opposition: Independents hate him, he can galvanize Democrats…and Republican voters actually do like him.
Limbaugh’s favorable-unfavorable numbers among Republicans stand at 60%-23%. Among independents, though, he’s at just 25%-45%. And Democrats definitely have it in for him at 6%-63%. Multiplying out the partisan subsets in this poll, we get an overall top-line result of 28% favorability for Limbaugh across the country, compared to 45% unfavorable.
So if Limbaugh does become a national issue, the data shows he could be a net plus for the Dems — though the obvious caveat exists that swing voters could have more important things to worry about than some radio loudmouth.
Audiegrl says:
06 February 2009 at 2:21 pm
Keep it up Rush!
_________
I’m going to wear an “I hope you fail, Rush” T-shirt when he tee’s off at Pebble Beach in a couple of weeks
What amazed me about the numbers in the poll, is that he is very unpopular outside the base. If you were just listening to the pundits, you would think that he was the f-ing voice of America. LOL
Has he said anything about Micheal Steele’s election? Or just crickets?
Peleosi says Senate WILL pass stimulus bill today (cnbc) How does she know?
Has he said anything about Micheal Steele’s election? Or just crickets?
________
He’s on vacation where the viagra flows like honey.
I have been lurking and reading and for the life of me, when I read the line:
Jane Austen says:
06 February 2009 at 1:08 pm
What amazes me is that no real complaints were heard about an illegal war we have pumped and are still pumping billions into; now the Repubs are asked to help their own country and they’d rather see us fail. What kind of Americans are they anyway?
I’m with you justlen – I thank my God everyday that McCain is not President. I can only imagine what is administration would have done to this country.
I get confused. Pumping billions into illegal wars? Okay, the same ones who voted for it are the same ones ramming this package down everyones throats right now. I am a Democrat and I definitely didn’t vote for Obama/Biden. Some of you have been Democrats for longer than I have been alive. Please explain what makes the do nothing congress we have here now, that were the same while Bush was in, so wonderful? They did nothing. Voted for a war based on media spin, bogus information briefed by Colin Powell and lies. But now we are to believe they are the answer.
The quote on the *billions* in Iraq is a myth. Promoted by the left and pandered to by the right. I look at both sides as failures because WE the military are caught in the middle. The sad part is, when people here *defense spending* they assume *weapons* and *ammunition*. They don’t want to know that *defense spending* includes providing the necessary equipment to protect from the IED’s and Mortars or the vehicles and parts used to complete said missions. Nor do they go into how it helps to build better and adequate housing located downrange just so that maybe just maybe our living accomadations will come just a tad close to the type of structures/buildings built for them because *gasp* for some reason those in muslim world are getting a hell of alot better treatment.
The Democratic party is weak on national security point blank in my opinion and the Republican party is no better. There is no *Fountain* of money overflowing into Iraq unless it’s given to someone other than us. This mentality that any person with a *D* behind there name are right and those with a *R* behind there name is strong on national security is a straight joke. We are losing K2, Uzbekistan, which will make operations in Afghanistan hell. With Russia standing on the side gleefully with aide, also known as money. Then We have North Korea and South Korea scrapping every single agreement on the table and no one reporting it. Other than to say in passing the SOS is going there like she is going sight seeing instead of the reality of the situation.
Which you would think they would report considering 2 ID, which are the brigades or is the brigade stationed in South Korea whose sole purpose and mission unless it changed within the last ten minutes is to stand with South Korea if North Korea invades. Or the formal mission/title: Protect against invasion until more american forces arrive.
Which will could be really hard to do considering we get the largest cut in defense spending I have seen in the eleven years I have been in. The media will continue to hype the notion that there is so much *money* going into Iraq & Afghanistan. But when the truth comes out on what is really going down, and what they are doing without will amaze and astound. Everyone is being hit by this recession and this continued narrative of untold large sums of money is the worst myth imaginable. It is getting harder for some to remain silent and frankly they shouldn’t have to. Cause I for one, cannot waite to hear the explanation on how they managed to have it way off base.
I get we are stuck with this administration for the next four years. But could people at least question the info they get and hold accountable the ones they elected that PUT us in these situations? Nancy Pelosi and company did not just get here. They have been there and did nothing and I expect them to continue to be that way. They are a mess. They would rather spend millions on condoms and hiv testing but not provide the health care coverage to help if they are found to have aids.
They increase there personal spending for frivolous crap for 93 million, but wont give us a dime to build new barracks. They would rather waite until another utube hits showing what they really look like, to become concerned. They have millions going to movie producers but yet we are getting medical programs cut. Medical programs that would require health professionals which would result in jobs. But yet again we will get screwed because so many people can’t understand that military *does not equal* bush.
okay Lindsay Graham seems happy, he got some kind of mortgage rescue funding. Or I guess he’s proposing the amendment.
patsy says:
06 February 2009 at 2:31 pm
I am a Democrat and I definitely didn’t vote for Obama/Biden.
_____
who did you vote for? (there’s only two possibilities, McCain or NO VOTE, either way where’s your standing?)
Corporate tax rates too high? three words “Exxon Record Profits”
Let’s not get into a debate about whether corporate tax rates are too high. In fact, that was my point. Let’s stimulate the economy first, then take that on. But your argument is as follows:
Barack Obama is tall;
Barack is a man;
Therefore, all men are tall.
In otherwords, just because Exxon is a company making record profits doesn’t mean that all (or even most) are.
patsy says:
06 February 2009 at 2:31 pm
I really tried to read your entire post but you’re all over the place. Maybe try one point at a time and exchange ideas.
feinstein now agaisnt the bill says news. gov brendenson leading candidate for hhs-we are screwed. he is worse than daschle. the guv destroyed medcaid in tn-gutted it. what are we doing?
patsy, I understand where you are coming from. My husband is retired military and was a gunship pilot in the Vietnam war. I agree that spending for the military is much broader than people realize.
And I have been a big complainer about the health care in the military. Now the government wants us to pay a co-pay when it was promised that all military and retired military would have health care for life. But that was Bush not Obama. Remember many Nam vets have been struggling with Agent Orange and the government has just now begun to acknowledge that it was caused in the Vietnam war.
But I don’t understand why you didn’t vote for Obama. McCain is a bad choice even for the military.
News From TPM:
We reported on Wednesday that the Obama administration’s new executive pay limits — which have huge loopholes built in — weren’t stopping Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) from pushing to add her own, stronger CEO pay caps to the stimulus bill.
And very quietly, by unanimous voice vote, McCaskill’s plan was added to the stimulus last night. The Senate also added Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) similar executive pay constraints to the bill. So it seems that GOPers may talk about not wanting government in control of private business; but when push comes to shove, even they can no longer defend the excesses of Wall Street.
ogenec says:
06 February 2009 at 2:37 pm
Barack Obama is tall;
Barack is a man;
Therefore, all men are tall.
In otherwords, just because Exxon is a company making record profits doesn’t mean that all (or even most) are.
________
you’re defending the Republican notion that US corporations are taxed unfairly… and that “when the corporations do well everyone does well” BS.
patsy says:
06 February 2009 at 2:31 pm
IMO, the $900 billion spent (so far) in Iraq would have been better spent on the modernization of the military, and taking proper care of vets… that’s the equivalent of the current stimulus package spent on IRAQ ONLY… that doesn’t include the main defense budget.
You guys do realize that while the US has one of the highest marginal corporate tax rates of industrialized nations we have one of the lowest contributions to the budget due to tax loopholes.
I find this entire circus in the Senate entertaining. All they are doing is bloviating to their base so they can say “I voted for this or that.”
This bill is going to pass. I fear the economy is going to continue to go downhill. A huge part of this bill will just offset lack of revenue in states, and just prolong the final outcome.
Imagine the GOP being concerned about limiting CEO pay for banks taking TARP money. Wasn’t it the GOP who wanted the autoworkers to take a pay cut in order to get the auto bailout money?
Obama can’t play these games. He needs to take it to the American public. He need Pelosi and Reid to play hardball in Congress to shut down the delays and just get a vote on this bill. Then they can start working on the NEXT stimulus bill that will be needed.
I was heartened to see that the President finally made the point that the stimulus bill has lots of spending in it BECAUSE IT’S A STIMULUS BILL!!!!
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 2:56 pm
I agree fully. And the fact that $900 billion has been spent on the Iraq war is hurting the health care for military and retirees. And also the fact that medical treatment is so much better than it used to be, more soldiers are coming back maimed but alive. Which means that we will be taking care of them for the rest of their lives, which by the way, we should.
War is bad enough, but the aftermath is even more troubling. And the money that has to be spent to upgrade the military is mind boggling.
you’re defending the Republican notion that US corporations are taxed unfairly… and that “when the corporations do well everyone does well” BS.
No, i’m not. I’m saying that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. As a fellow audiophile, you should understand this. A lot of U.S. audio manufacturers design their products here, but have them manufactured abroad (typical destination is China). That is the only way they can produce their wares at a price point that appeals to the budget-minded audiophile.
For those companies who manufacture ne plus ultra products, like $150,000 loudspeakers, their clientele are largely immune to the economic downturn, so they manufacture their wares right here in good ol’ USA. Places like Boulder CO. These companies are more like Exxon, in that the demand for their products is relatively inelastic.
My point is that these are high-skilled jobs that we can induce back to the States. And one way MIGHT be to lower their corporate tax rate. We have a sliding scale for people, why not corporations? I think it’s worth debating, rather than reflexively calling it BS. But again, stimulus is the first and only priority right now.
Oh, and thanks so much for pulling me into a tax debate I so didn’t want to have
In fairness to Patsy – she was a regular contributor during the primaries and a very strong supporter of Hillary Clinton and is in the military. She had problems with Obama as many people had/have. That is her right. With that said I would like to remind Patsy that the Dems didn’t take over in Congress until 2006, well after the war in Iraq began and yes, they went along with the support of the war, but for many it was support of the troops. I have a problem with the fact that the Repubs were so gun ho on going to war in Iraq when the situation in Afghanistan was precarious and unfinished. And yes, the average American got carried along with the idea of war without demanding the truth.
JA I’m not saying anything other than, if she didn’t vote for Obama/Biden, she either didn’t vote for POTUS or voted for McCain/Palin which makes no sense if she’s a dem, other than anger because Hillary lost. With that said, I’ve always felt we should have concentrated on Afghanistan, not Iraq. We all know why we went to war in Iraq.
ogenec says:
06 February 2009 at 3:24 pm
We have a sliding scale for people, why not corporations? I think it’s worth debating, rather than reflexively calling it BS. But again, stimulus is the first and only priority right now.
________
done in a targeted way, to specifically germinate jobs, then yes, but not across the board. Small to mid-size companies need that kind of benefit, I would agree with that.
Betsy says:
06 February 2009 at 3:40 pm
________________
Bets – in all honesty I don’t know how anyone could have voted for McCain/Palin if they called themselves Democrats. It defies description simply because the ideology is so different and it is totally irrational and illogical to think that someone would vote for the opposite of what they believe in.
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 3:02 pm
I find this entire circus in the Senate entertaining. All they are doing is bloviating to their base so they can say “I voted for this or that.”
_______
Did you see Vitter going on and on about ACORN? What a clown.
Jane Austen says:
06 February 2009 at 3:46 pm
Betsy says:
06 February 2009 at 3:40 pm
________________
Bets – in all honesty I don’t know how anyone could have voted for McCain/Palin if they called themselves Democrats.
_____
How about jumping from Hillary to Palin? (2012), I find that equally inscrutable.
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 3:47 pm
Did you see Vitter going on and on about ACORN? What a clown.
___________
I have to turn the channel when he comes on because he gives me an extreme case of agida (sp) and then I end up with reflux.
Some pork does need to be cut, but geez, just get it cut and passed. And no tax cuts for the rich. I’m so tired of the Repugs wanting to take care of their wealthy buddies. And I include McCain with that one. It’s time to get serious and give the tax cuts to the middle class.
Vitter is a total idiot.
Time to change his diaper?
Maybe he has a diaper rash
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 3:51 pm
How about jumping from Hillary to Palin? (2012), I find that equally inscrutable.
_____________
GeoT – I didn’t even want to go there because that defied any kind of rationale or logic.
I loved the Republican attempt to raid the stimulus money for mortgage relief, when that was what the TARP funds were for.
Betsy says:
06 February 2009 at 3:52 pm
Maybe he has a diaper rash
_________
Probably turned into a fungus.
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 3:53 pm
I loved the Republican attempt to raid the stimulus money for mortgage relief, when that was what the TARP funds were for.
__________
I’m beginning to think at this point TARP was only for the banks.
It has been ages since I have swung by.
The site looks great!
Just so mad that I could spit.
I must say that I guess I am not surprised to see the Republicans playing politics while the country is in so much trouble.
Tax cuts, tax cuts, blah blah blah….
Repeat after me Congress Critters:
Spending is stimulus, spending is stimulus, spending is stimulus
I’m not being mean but did Jim Bunning have a stroke? He’s having a hard time pronouncing words.
Hey there Vintagejulie, good to see you.
GeoT says:
done in a targeted way, to specifically germinate jobs, then yes, but not across the board. Small to mid-size companies need that kind of benefit, I would agree with that.
Put it right there, GeoT. We are simpatico.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Unlimited tax writeoff for stock losses. To help the AVERAGE family.
Are they even trying anymore?
vintagejulie says:
06 February 2009 at 3:56 pm
do you have a stimulus plan we can submit? ‘;)
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 4:02 pm
Is that Toonces driving the economy off the cliff?
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 4:02 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Unlimited tax writeoff for stock losses. To help the AVERAGE family.
Are they even trying anymore?
_____
Plus I have a question: do all mortgages get adjusted or just those near or in foreclosure? Won’t that draw down home values even further and maybe even put a new group of people upside down? Just asking.
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 4:03 pm
I’ve got one.
Roll FDR’s corpse out on the Senate floor, with a musty copy of the WPA clutched in it’s hands.
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 4:06 pm
I’m pretty sure it’s just subprime. Obama said something about if they offered to bail out every mortgage then everyone would stop making mortgage payments.
Why Aren’t There Hundreds of Economists on My TV Explaining the Stimulus Package?
http://tinyurl.com/debzgc
Thune wants to give YOU $5000.00…
Like a zombie, Thune is back. Submits an amendment (once gain) to simply take the $900B and mail out checks for $5k to every tax filers.
It’s like Groundhog Day with Senator Douchenozzle.
As Krugman said “we are truly flirting with disaster.”
What I would like to see President Obama say on Monday is simple.
“Each day we wait, another 20,000 jobs are lost by the American people”
That is short and sweet, and something everybody can understand.
WOW …Taylor, how cool is THIS? Great job on the new look!
Hi everyone …hoping for some kinda package soon. The President is coming to Indiana tomorrow and I think its a brilliant move. Smart to keep in touch with the people who need him most right now.
Look out Thune, he’s coming for you:
http://tinyurl.com/b8zjn5
(Google Image Search never lets me down)
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 4:25 pm
Look out Thune, he’s coming for you:
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justlen – I said it before – you are “sick” so what does that make me as I LMAO?
Let the man RIP. He deserves it.
I finally figured out how you get the smile face. Wow! Talk about dumb luck.
Man, I’m in the mood to kick some serious Repig butt. Obama needs to lay down the law or I’m afraid its going to be Carter all over again. HOPE not
Yep, I think Zombie FDR just ate Lindsey Graham’s head.
David Axelrod live on CNN up next. Wonder what he’ll have to say about all this?
justlen:
did you buy B of A stock like I told you to?
BAC BK OF AMERICA CP 6.13 Up 1.29 (26.65%)
Oooh, we’re back to salary caps. I think we’ll see Zombie Nixon soon. Let’s not forget he froze ALL salaries in the US in 1971.
IndyRobin says:
06 February 2009 at 4:35 pm
David Axelrod live on CNN up next. Wonder what he’ll have to say about all this?
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thank you! watching this Senate hearing is making me suicidal.
Welcome vintagejulie …happy to see you back
thank you! watching this Senate hearing is making me suicidal.
lol .. I know …what a freakin mess eh?
My motto for today is -PUT AMERICA BACK TO WORK!!!!! Enough of this nonsense!!!!
Agreed JA
But we have FIGHT smarter or the Rethugs will run us into the ground the way they always do. I say we fight fire with fire … no more allowing them to hijack the “message”. We need to dispel their every nasty allegation with our own ANSWERS
I just called both of my Senators’ offices demanding that they act on the stimulus package and stop messing around. I promised them I’d keep calling until they do their jobs.
Yeah, I called mine yesterday and today, there are also several Dems that are pissed and going to vote aganist it
Just checking my new avatar…
Yes, Ogen summed up my position. Divide it up. The bill is too big.
As for tax stuff? I think it’s all silly talk, with the exception of raising the income tax on wealthy Americans. The rest of us don’t have anything left to tax. *haha There is no capital gains. Why discuss it. There will be nothing much in the way of corporate taxes is my best guess. Gotta have profits for that.
Taxes is a distracting issue.
The bill needs a lot more real stimulus and a whole lot less “school lunch” type spending provisions. Pick some safety net stuff and fight the rest out.
And I agree. If Reid had 60, he’d have called it to vote.
Justien- is that Toonces the Cat?
Zombie FDR
AnninCA says:
06 February 2009 at 5:22 pm
The bill needs a lot more real stimulus and a whole lot less “school lunch” type spending provisions.
Yeah like for areas where they are laying off teachers and closing schools.
Are you even trying anymore? Go hug your JTP blowup doll.
lol, that moron the First Dude was voted in contempt of the Alaska State Senate.
How in hell did that happen justlen. He isn’t even in the Senate.
Dum, dee dum dum. I guess because he refused to testify? Is that right.
Betsy says:
06 February 2009 at 5:51 pm
Dum, dee dum dum. I guess because he refused to testify? Is that right.
Yup. Maybe Bible Spice is next.
She can’t testify, she is too busy arguing with Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd and the President of Defenders of Wildlife is going to be on Larry King tonight to discuss the ad
I took a nap… that seems to have made the difference…
Senate reaches deal!!!!
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 5:27 pm
AnninCA says:
06 February 2009 at 5:22 pm
The bill needs a lot more real stimulus and a whole lot less “school lunch” type spending provisions.
Yeah like for areas where they are laying off teachers and closing schools.
Are you even trying anymore? Go hug your JTP blowup doll.
________
LMAO! I’m firing up the marketing dept. as we speak!
Officials say tentative stimulus deal reached
Two officials said the emerging agreement was for a bill with a $780 billion price tag,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090206/ap_on_go_co/congress_stimulus
Officials strongly suggested that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s vote would be needed to assure passage.
Obama meets with USS Cole families:
One woman who attended the meeting says Obama assured them he wants the same thing they do — justice for their loved ones.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLy-7Qsm2KeE15rL6Is9p56BcWhwD966BVUO0
correction: USS Cole and 9/11 families
GeoT says:
06 February 2009 at 6:29 pm
I took a nap… that seems to have made the difference…
Senate reaches deal!!!!
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So did I. Seems that everytime I take a nap something happens. I guess that’s the trick. Go to sleep!
If they cut Head Start and other education programs I’m going to be seriously bent.
Jane Austen says:
06 February 2009 at 6:43 pm
So did I. Seems that everytime I take a nap something happens. I guess that’s the trick. Go to sleep!
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oh and it would be dramatic to see Teddy take the floor as the 60th vote.
justlen says:
06 February 2009 at 6:47 pm
If they cut Head Start and other education programs I’m going to be seriously bent.
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it’s down to $780 b so they cut something.
Pelosi Calls Cuts to Stimulus Bill ‘Very Damaging’
http://tinyurl.com/d9rdpt
Chris Matthews is reporting Ted Kennedy will be there for the vote.
Pelosi is not a happy camper at all.
Who is the President of the Senate.
I think Obama understands that this is not a one shot deal. Get something now; a lot of it is going to be what he wants.
Everything else is going to revisited in the next 4 years. In spite of the cuts, winning a mega legislative fight early can go a long way to some easier victories down the line.
Obama imo is not so much a chess player but an NBA guy. Right now we’re at about 2 minutes into the 1st quarter.
Job Loss Chart: What 3.6 Million Jobs Lost Over 13 Months Looks Like
http://tinyurl.com/ctvybx
OMG Vitter now wants to read it over the weekend. These people are absolutely insane. I guess they are more concerned about what Rash Lamebrain will say then what the American people are feeling and saying. These Republicans are DISGRACEFUL!!!!
I had a feeling they were going to fly Ted Kennedy back for the vote. As for Patsy’s posts, I remember her when I was lurking in the past. People have their own reasons for how they vote, I guess. There probably would have been some Obama supporters who wouldn’t have voted for Hillary, either, if she was the nominee. I know it took me a while to come around, although I would never have voted for McCain. I just felt so strongly about Hillary and was so disappointed. People fell in love with Obama and people fell in love with Hillary. But everything has worked out well, I have to say. As for all the spending on the war and soldiers needing equipment, etc. – well that money went to Halliburton and Lord knows who else. It surely didn’t go to those who needed it.
Question: If they pass this in the Senate, can the House R’s do anything to stop it?
I am really getting sick of the Senate Republicans. That’s all they want to do is obstruct – we’ll probably get a half ass bill out of the whole thing that will only be half effective. But I guess it’s better than nothing.
You can bet they cut out some health care and education funding.
By the way I know the VP is the President of the Senate, but why do they keep saying Madame President.
lynnette says:
06 February 2009 at 7:39 pm
You can bet they cut out some health care and education funding.
We can only hope that those two items are not cut. And if they are, they need to have a bill on them. Those are very important issues to all Americans, I believe.
Audiegrl says:
06 February 2009 at 7:34 pm
Question: If they pass this in the Senate, can the House R’s do anything to stop it?
AG, I don’t know. I get really confused over all this. I guess now the House and the Senate get together and pound out a few things and then vote on it. But I’m really not sure of that.
YEAH! I now have a gravatar courtesy of my wonderful hubby. I didn’t nag him either, just stood over his shoulder.
Besty
We need to go to youtube and bone up on ‘School House Rock’. They can probably explain it pretty clearly, and the songs are great too. LOL
Great pic Jane
And your hubby kept his promise to do it on Friday too!
Thanks AG. He always keeps his promises. Life can be hell if he doesn’t.
I’m really glad this stimulus package has gotten the green light. Whatever they took out they can always go back and revisit in other legislation. I’m really not very proud of the Repubs though if only 3 are on board.
The Repubs are going to catch hell from their districts if they go back home without a bill passed. Just in my town today, we lost 2000 jobs today, from a Chrysler plant closing.
correction, 2400 people
Audie girl;
We just lost 1200 from a Chrylser plant, too. It is now going to close down permanently.
lynnette
Yep, the one here is the Belvidere, IL plant. My next-door neighbor works there, and other family members. This is a hot-mess.
Hey all it’s after hours time in a new thread above.
lynnette says:
06 February 2009 at 7:33 pm
People fell in love with Obama and people fell in love with Hillary. But everything has worked out well.
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I like your take
and agree, McCain, no way.
GeoT:
Thanks.
Ralph Nader once said Democrats tend to fall in love with their candidates. He said not to do it. But I fell in love with Hillary, anyway. (of course, she was my senator, too.) I really like Obama.